In the quiet pre-dawn hours of Saturday, August 16, 2025, the rural roads of Amelia and Nottoway counties in Virginia became the stage for a harrowing sequence of events that culminated in the death of 56-year-old Midlothian resident Michael Woodson. What began as a routine traffic stop escalated into a high-speed chase, a fiery crash, and a deadly encounter with law enforcement, leaving a community grappling with questions and a deputy nursing a wound.
The drama unfolded around 5 a.m. on Route 360 in Amelia County, when a Virginia State Trooper spotted a Toyota pickup truck bearing fictitious license plates. The driver, later identified as Woodson, was signaled to pull over. Instead, he floored the accelerator, rocketing past the speed limit at over 100 mph in a 55 mph zone. The trooper gave chase, and soon an Amelia County sheriff’s deputy joined the pursuit, their sirens piercing the early morning stillness as they trailed the fleeing vehicle.
The chase tore through the winding roads, crossing county lines into Nottoway, where the situation reached a critical turning point. At the intersection of Rocky Hill Road and Route 460, Woodson’s truck veered out of control, spinning off the road and crashing into a dense thicket of woods. The vehicle came to a violent stop, but Woodson’s flight was far from over. Authorities say he abandoned the wrecked truck and took off on foot, plunging into the shadowed underbrush.
What happened next is the focus of intense scrutiny. According to Virginia State Police, as officers closed in, Woodson allegedly brandished a firearm, a move that turned a dangerous situation deadly. Law enforcement opened fire, and Woodson was struck multiple times. He was pronounced dead at the scene, his life extinguished in the chaos of the moment. Amid the exchange, a Nottoway County deputy was wounded, sustaining a non-life-threatening gunshot to the hand. The deputy was treated and released, but the incident left a mark on all involved.
The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation has taken the reins of the case, working meticulously to unravel the sequence of events. Investigators are combing through evidence, analyzing body camera footage, and interviewing witnesses to construct a clear picture of what transpired. A critical question remains unanswered: Did Woodson fire his weapon? Authorities have yet to confirm whether he discharged the firearm he allegedly displayed, a detail that could shape the narrative of this tragic encounter.
As the investigation presses forward, officials are urging anyone with information to come forward. The call for public assistance underscores the complexity of the case, as authorities seek to ensure transparency and accountability in the wake of a fatal officer-involved shooting. For now, the rural roads of Amelia and Nottoway counties bear silent witness to a fleeting, chaotic moment that ended in loss, leaving a community to reflect on the fragility of life and the unpredictable nature of a single decision.